Neither Here Nor There: I'm lonesome this week in Plainview

By NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Herald Lifestyles Editor

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, August 7, 2010

The All-School Reunion is in the history books and most who traveled to Plainview, one from Switzerland and several from the far reaches of the United States, including a member of my class, Susan Webber Summerfield who lives in Jericho, Vermont, are back in the swing (or throes) of their every day lives. I confess that Plainview is a lonesome place today since our friends left.

The String-A-Long reception was standing room only with a number of people standing on the porch and others down the hall and filling the display areas at the Museum of the Llano Estacado. Rodney Watson says more than 250 people crowded the museum to help recognize Plainview’s first rock and roll band. All were there: Keith McCormack, Jimmy Torres, Aubrey de Cordova, Richard Stephens and Don Allen.

All in all, it was a fine reunion with special get-togethers for classes beginning with the 1938 class. They all said it: Plainview was a great place to be a kid and go to school . . . and make memories.

Something to think about: if someone doesn’t step up to plan and organize the 2015 reunion, this may have been the last All School Reunion for Plainview High School since the organizers are getting older and, as we all can imagine, it is a lot of work.

Hopefully, by that time, volunteers will step forward.

This year we had more than 700 former students registered with more who attended who didn’t register.

It’s food for thought. The All School Reunion is a great event for former students and Plainview. A banner weekend for hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Now, after seeing the graying and aging of the former students, Rusty Jones sent me this list of what a woman is looking for in a man at various stages of life. He claims it was probably written by his wife, Judy, but I think she would have been more specific.

What I Want In a Man

Original List

1. Handsome

2. Charming

3. Financially successful

4. A caring listener

5. Witty

6. In good shape

7. Dresses with style

8. Appreciates finer things

9. Full of thoughtful surprises

What I Want in a Man

Revised List (age 32)

1. Nice looking

2. Opens car doors, holds chairs

3. Has enough money for a nice dinner

4. Listens more than talks

5. Laughs at my jokes

6. Carries bags of groceries with ease

7. Owns at least one tie

8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal

9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries

What I Want in a Man

Revised List (age 42)

1. Not too ugly

2. Doesn’t drive off until I’m in the car

3. Works steady — splurges on dinner out occasionally

4. Nods head when I’m talking

5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes

6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture

7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach

8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids

9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down

10. Shaves most weekends

What I Want in a Man

Revised List (age 52)

1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed

2. Doesn’t belch or scratch in public

3. Doesn’t borrow money too often

4. Doesn’t nod off to sleep when I’m venting

5. Doesn’t re-tell the same joke too many times

6. Is in good enough shape to get off the couch on weekends

7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear

8. Appreciates a good TV dinner

9. Remembers your name on occasion

10. Shaves some weekends

What I Want in a Man

Revised List (age 62)

1. Doesn’t scare small children

2. Remembers where bathroom is

3. Doesn’t require much money for upkeep

4. Only snores lightly when asleep

5.. Remembers why he’s laughing

6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself

7. Usually wears some clothes

8. Likes soft foods

9. Remembers where he left his teeth

10. Remembers that it’s the weekend

What I Want in a Man,

Revised List (age 72)

1. Breathing.

2. Doesn’t miss the toilet.

Now, while you are laughing and nodding your head in agreement, if any of you men are offended, send me your list and, if it is written with a family newspaper in mind, I’ll print your views. In the meantime, keep breathing . . .

(Contact Nicki Bruce Logan at 806-296-1362 or nicki@plainviewdailyherald.com. Follow her on Facebook.)